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PA premier Salam Fayad and U.S. consul general in Jerusalem, Jacob Walles, speaking in Nablus on Wednesday. (AP) del.icio.us Digg It!  new Last update - 00:05 15/11/2007 Top U.S. diplomat: PA security forces have improved order in Nablus By The Associated Press tags: Nablus, PA, road map  Palestinian security forces have made some progress in restoring order in the West Bank city of Nablus, which was long ruled by gangs, a U.S. diplomat said after a tour Wednesday. The U.S. assessment matters because Washington will be the judge of whether Palestinians and Israelis are meeting their short-term peace obligations. For the Palestinian government, that mainly means disarming militants, while Israel is required to freeze settlements and dismantle settlement outposts. Palestinian negotiators say that while they have started meeting their security obligations, Israel has done nothing so far. Haaretz reported Wednesday that an Israeli delegation is heading to Washington to negotiate the terms of a partial settlement freeze with the Bush administration. Advertisement Under the U.S.-backed road map plan, which has been revived as part of current U.S.-led peace efforts, Israel is to freeze all construction immediately, and in parallel with a Palestinian security clampdown. The U.S. consul general in Jerusalem, Jacob Walles, visited Nablus on Wednesday for a first-hand look at the performance of the Palestinian security forces. Chaotic Nablus, once a militant stronghold, had been chosen as a test case by the Palestinian government, and 300 Palestinian police were deployed last month. "The Palestinian security forces have made some progress, and the condition in the streets is better," said Walles, who was accompanied by Palestinian Authority Prime Minister Salam Fayad. Asked to comment on Israel's performance so far, he said: "Our position is that both sides need to meet their obligations." Walles said the U.S. would spend $1.3 million on various aid projects in Nablus, including building and cleaning up schools and refurbishing a government ministry. This week, Palestinian police arrested three local leaders of the Al Aqsa Martyrs' Brigade, a violent offshoot of Fatah. The men were from the Balata refugee camp, a stronghold for group. Residents of Nablus said they have felt a significant improvement in recent days and were encouraged by the arrests of gang members, including those who in the past enjoyed immunity because of their ties to PA Chairman Mahmoud Abbas' Fatah movement. Downtown shopkeeper Ziad Abu Rateb, who voted for Fatah's rival, Hamas, in 2006 parliament elections, said he was impressed by the latest sweep. "Last night, they arrested one of the bloodiest gang leaders here," he said. Palestinian officials complained that Israel is undermining the campaign by continuing arrest sweeps in Nablus. Early Wednesday, Israeli troops seized seven Palestinians in the city. Israel says that it's too early to entrust its security to Palestinian police. In the past, scores of Nablus militants were involved in shooting and bombing attacks on Israelis. Related articles: Israel to freeze settlement construction ahead of summit PA Police seize 40 bombs in militant stronghold in Nablus U.S. to give Nablus $1M in aid in pre-summit boost for Abbas Bookmark to del.icio.us War speculations An aide to Sharon says the ex-PM wouldn't have sent ground troops to Lebanon. Nuclear inspection An IAEA report concludes Iran is generally truthful but still defying UN demands.   1.   Road Map revolves around Nablus? 16:51  |  Nephtaly 14/11/07   2.   Palestinian Police Frequently PArticipate in Attacks on Israel 17:21  |  Mike 14/11/07   3.   #1 Nephtaly 17:37  |  * BEN JABO 14/11/07   4.   Joke Of the Year 18:02  |  emad matahin 14/11/07   5.   pa means corruption and collaboration to palestenian 18:34  |  kad 14/11/07   6.   Message to all Pals 18:40  |  Ari 14/11/07   7.   crap by an american clerk 18:50  |  Absolute Sweden 14/11/07   8.   Israel`s Turn 19:19  |  Brad 14/11/07   9.   Will they build a jail with a revolving door from the $1.3 19:54  |  Mendeleyev 14/11/07   10.   pat on the head 19:54  |  israeli 14/11/07   11.   Safe enough for IDF to carry out its operations 20:26  |  El-birawi 14/11/07   12.   WRONG ! 20:32  |  leon 14/11/07   13.   PLO reducing terror in west bank 20:55  |  geroge 14/11/07   14.   El- Birawi - Give It Time 21:31  |  Mark of Lewiston 14/11/07   15.   I`ll only respect those PA people when they face the fact and 21:54  |  Shulamit 14/11/07   16.   More BS 22:30  |  Frank 14/11/07   17.   As I said before 22:41  |  JJ 14/11/07   18.   Top U.S. diplomat 23:21  |  Luis Gomberoff 14/11/07   19.   who`s meeting road map obligations? 23:31  |  objective observer 14/11/07   20.   US take on Mideast-real doubtful! 23:44  |  Mark 14/11/07   21.   #15, Shulamit, you are absolutely right 23:46  |  Cipora Julianna Kohn 14/11/07   22.   Anything is better than Two State.It will never work. 02:06  |  Akram Zekaria 15/11/07   23.   Well, so the Pals and the USA are in cahoots... 00:41  |  Johnboy 16/11/07   24.   21#Cipora.Two State a lunatic self-indulgence. 01:35  |  Akram Zekaria 16/11/07

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